Following a prolonged siege, Jerusalem’s city walls came tumbling down. On that devastating day, Jewish homes were ransacked and many were forced to migrate. Robbed of their homeland, all their hopes and dreams for a better future turned into smoke and ashes.

Here they were: people from all over the country clinging to prophet Micah’s words. Desperate, they questioned Micah:

 “Look, we have nothing left to give. The only thing left are our children. And since we have no future to offer them, we might as well sacrifice them to God and hope for the best. What else can we do, so that God will take our side? What is it He wants from us?”

With their backs against the wall and no place to go, people basically declared bankruptcy before the Lord. And in a way this was Israel’s first step to disassociate themselves from their enemies. Declaring bankruptcy, we’re no longer in the hands of our creditors. Declaring bankruptcy, Israel was no longer in the hands of their oppressors. They put themselves completely into God’s hands.

Freedom does not start when physical walls come down. Freedom starts with our mindset.

So Micah reminded them:

“You already know what God wants. He told you what is good. Stick to it. Do what is right, love mercy and walk humbly with your God!”

Do we really need to be bankrupt to understand that we need God? Here is the deal: we’re so caught up in this mindset of having to pay for everything that we panic when we run out of money and options. The reality though is: Not everything can be or should be paid for. Do we pay our parents for their services? What price-tag do you put on giving birth and raising a child? How about all the ancillary services of washing, cleaning, and cooking?

It’s obvious that the most important things in life can’t be paid for. They are being provided.

Kids grow up. That’s how it goes. And as adults it’s their turn to become providers. Yet even as adults our Heavenly Father cares for them. And how do they pay for His care? As much as they paid their parents: Nothing.

Try as we may, we’re never going to out-give God, nor do we need to. He gave us His Son Jesus, and in case you were wondering: there is no paying for this precious gift either. The only thing God wants from us – and I believe you’ve already guessed it:

Stay on track, my friend, do what is right, love mercy, and walk humbly before your God!